Progressive punch die

ABSTRACT

An improved progressive punch die wherein material in strip form is fed between reciprocating portions of a punch die such as, for example, the adjustable progressive die disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,524,370 which discloses means whereby the spacing of the die punch components can be adjusted with respect to the direction of longitudinal feed of the material, thereby varying the width of the punched product. The particular improvement includes an adjustable punching and forming station carried by the die members and capable of deforming the punched product from its normal flat planar configuration into a variety of contoured configurations.

United States Patent [191 Thompson Oct. 21, 1975 PROGRESSIVE PUNCH DIE [22] Filed: May 24, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 473,133

[52] US. Cl. 72/324; 72/332; 72/338;

83/620 [51] Int. Cl. B21D 43/28 [58] Field of Search 72/324, 325, 332, 337,

Overway 72/332 Kramer 72/339 Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner.lames R. Duzan Attorney, Agent, or FirmFreeman & Taylor [57] ABSTRACT An improved progressive punch die wherein material in strip form is fed between reciprocating portions of a punch die such as, for example, the adjustable progressive die disclosed in US. Patent 3,524,370 which discloses means whereby the spacing of the die punch components can be adjusted with respect to the direction of longitudinal feed of the material, thereby varying the width of the punched product. The particular improvement includes an adjustable punching and forming station carried by the die members and capable of deforming the punched product from its normal flat planar configuration into a variety of contoured configurations.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 21,1975 Sheet2of4 3,913,371 I U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,913,371

PROGRESSIVE PUNCH DIE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention, in general, relates to a die punch that is used to form articles from a progressively advancing strip of material by performing a plurality of operations on the material including sizing, stamping, notching, piercing, and severing as the material is advanced.

The invention, in particular, relates to an improved punch die intended to be used for forming tire sipes. These sipes are used in the art of tire manufacturing for the purpose ofproviding male projections on the curing mold surface to result in forming grooves or slots in a finished tire.

More particularly yet, the invention relates to a punch die of this general nature having an additional punching and forming station capable of deforming the sipe or punched product from a flat planar configuration to a deformed or contoured configuration.

Heretofore it has been necessary in operations of this type to deform or contour the sipe by a separate operation and at a separate station, thereby necessitating additional handling of the material and accordingly increasing the cost of the finished product.

The present invention is intended to eliminate that necessity and thereby increase production speed with a resulting decrease in overall manufacturing cost.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The following patent prior art is known to Applicant:

Bartee U.S. Pat. No. 1,304,441

Daniels U.S. Pat. No. 1,402,284

Crane U.S. Pat. No. 2,325,230

Burgess U.S. Pat. No. 2,504,642

Thompson U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,370

British Pat. No. 957,615

Applicant is also aware of the fact that a contoured configuration can be imparted to articles of this nature by a more or less manual, one at a time procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the operation of die punching an article such as a sipe, for example, it is usually necessary to not only trim the sipe to a uniform heighth dimension, but also to trim it to a uniform width. Furthermre, it is necessary to stamp, notch, pierce, punch, and contour the sipe to the specifications of the particular requirement.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,370 discloses means by which these operations can be achieved with a unitary punch die assembly in a progressive fashion. That patent also discloses an adjustment feature which makes it possible to adjust for an almost infinite number of sipe widths by adjusting the position of the die components in conjunction with adjusting the length of stock feed per cycle of operation. All of this is fully disclosed in said patent.

The punch die of that patent, as well as all known prior art punch dies, however, produces a flat planar sipe or punched product.

Normally it is necessary to transport the sipes to a separate station where each individual part is placed in still another machine and deformed as desired. This, of course, results in unnecessary expense because it is slow and labor intensive. Thus, for example, a punch die such as shown in U.S. Pat. No 3,524,370 can produce a very large number of parts per hour, and for each punch die of that nature a plurality of forming stations are required to handle the output.

It has been discovered that by mounting an additional forming member on the basic dies, this operation can be performed sequentially as the sipe is fed through the die, thereby eliminating a second handling of the product and consequently improving the efficiency and economy of the overall sipe-forming operation.

It has also been discovered that by providing a reversible forming punch, different lengths of pieces can be accommodated. Additionally, it has been discovered that by providing a unique cutoff die, the same can be reversed to achieve opposite hand operation.

Accordingly, production of an improved progressive punch die having the above-noted characteristics becomes the principal object of this invention, with other objects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the following brief specification, considered and interpreted in view of the accompanying drawings.

OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the improved punch die in place in the press.

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view partially broken away taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the overall punching assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 10, includes a press having upper and lower body members 11 and 12, with the upper member being movable between open and closed positions in known fashion.

An upper male punch die 30 is mounted on the top member 11 of the press, while a lower female punch die 40 is mounted on the lower member 12 of the press 10.

Referring to FIG. 2 then for a more detailed examination of the upper male punch die 30, it will be noted that the same includes a die shoe portion 31 to which is mounted primary male sizing components 32,32 which are adjustable and which size the strip of material 50 as it is advanced between the upper and lower punch die members 30 and 40 as it is moved from right to left of FIG. 2 in the direction of arrow 60. Sizing components 32,32 are held in place within the die shoe portion 31 by a plurality of screws 33,33 in more or less conventional fashion.

Also carried by die shoe portion 31 is a stamping punch 34, a notching punch 35, and a piercing punch 36. These male members are carried by the die shoe 31 and held in place by screws 37,37, as clearly shown in FIG. 2.

A cutoff member is also provided in the die shoe 31, and a forming station, generally indicated by the numeral 80, is also provided on the left-hand end of the die shoe 31 as shown in FIG. 2.

A forming punch 81, which in the form of the invention shown in V-shaped but which may be a double V or any other configuration depending on the requirement of the part being processed, is carried by the die shoe and held in place by guide rails 82,83 which are, in turn, secured to the die shoe by the bolts 84,84.

Further completing the description of the upper male punch die 30, it will be noted that bushings 38,38 are provided for reception of locating and centering rods 58,58 which are carried by the lower female punch die 40 as will be described more fully below.

Turning next then to FIG. 3 for a description of the lower female punch die 40, it will be noted that the same includes a lower die shoe portion 41 which is provided with a base portion 42 having appropriate cutouts 45,45 for reception of the sizing members 32,32 of the upper male punch die 30.

Also secured to the lower die shoe portion 41 is a flat die plate 43 which is intended to receive the force-of the stamp 34; a notching or forming cutout 44 which is intended to cooperate withthe notching or forming male punch 35; and apierce die 46 which is intended to receive the piercing member 36 which is carried by the upper die shoe. These members are held in place by a plurality of screws 47,47.

Also carried by the lower member are feed rollers 48,48 which are intended to facilitate passage of the strip of material 50 across the lower die shoe.

Continuing with the description of the lower die shoe 41, it will be noted that a cutoff station 90 is provided which has a die 91 intended to receive the male die component 70 for purposes of cutting off the piece.

To the left of the cutoff station is the forming station 100 which includes the forming die 101 which, in the "version illustrated, has a complemental V-shaped die The lower die 101 is held in place by rail 92 which also serves to hold the lower cutoff die 91 in place.

Also provided are gauge plates 103 and 104 which have elongate slots 103a and 104a which enable their position with regard to the forming die to be altered so as to adjust and accommodate various heights and lengths of parts. In this regard it is also believed appropriate to point out at this point that if a longer part is involved, it is possible to reverse the lower forming Jdie 101 so that the V-shaped forming area would be moved, for example, to the left of FIG. 3.

Completing a description of the lower die shoe 41, it should be noted that the cutoff member 90 is reversible so that an opposite hand operation can be achieved if desired. Additionally, the alignment rods 58,58 are also carried by the lower die shoe 41 and are intended "to project upwardly therefrom for registry with and receipt within bushing 38,38 of the upper male punch shoe 31.

Finally, a stripping plate 110 is provided, and it should be understood that the material 50 passes beneath this, and when the upper punch member 70 is utilized to punch out the piece, this will facilitate in stripping the material from the punch.

In use or operation of the device, it will first be assumed that the strip material 50 is fed from right to left of FIG. 4, for example. It will pass between the sizing At this time the material will be trimmed to size by cooperation of the punches 32,32 and the female dies 45,45. As the strip continues to advance to the left, it will pass over roller 48, and a repetitive actuation of the press will cause the stamp 34 to impart its designation on the advancing strip material. Further movement of the material in the direction of arrow 60 and further repetitive actuation of the press will cause the notching punch 35 to cooperate with the notching die 44, and still further movement and actuation of the press will bring the piercing punch 36 and the piercing die 46 into play. The material 50 will then continue to pass to the left over the second guide roller 48 and into the location of the cutoff station. At this time, again assuming further repetitive operation of the press, the punch will cooperate with the die 91 to sever the piece. The piece will then be forced to the left again until it comes over the forming die 102, at which time actuation of the press will bring the punch 81 into contact with the piece and impart its final configuration to it.

It should be understood that this is a repetitive type arrangement, and therefore at all times on each successive repetitive actuation of the press, the various stations are forming, notching, piercing, sizing, etc., successive parts.

Once the finished product is formed at the forming station by the punch 81 and die 102, it is passed on to the left and out of the die apparatus to a collecting point (not shown).

It should be noted that almost any desired configuration could be imparted to the sipe, and the configuration shown is illustrative only.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the punching station could be utilized in connection with other punch dies other than that shown in US. Pat. No. 3,524,370.

It has accordingly been shown how a new and improved multi-purpose punch die can be devised in which the entire stamping, forming, and shaping operation can be performed with one unit and without the necessity of handling the material more than once.

As pointed out above, the cutoff punch 70 and die 91 are reversible so that an opposite hand form could be imparted. Additionally, it is possible to adjust the sizing punches 32,32 and dies 45,45 by simply removing the same and inserting members which have different spacings to accommodate different sizes. Additionally, the forming punch 81 and die 102 could also be adjusted, if desired, to accommodate various sizes as discussed above.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it should be understood that modifications can be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A progressive punch die for producing individual articles from a strip of advancing material, comprising;

A. an elongate male punch die assembly including a male die shoe portion and having 1. a sizing station located adjacent one end of said male die shoe portion and having adjustable sizing components; 2. a slide area in said male die shoe portion having a. a stamping station with an adjustable stamping punch,

b. a notching station with an adjustablenotching punch, and

c. a piercing station with an adjustable piercing punch;

3. said stamping, notching, and piercing punches being movable interchangeably within said slide area;

4. a reversible cutoff member carried by said male die shoe portion;

5. a forming member carried by said male die shoe portion adjacent the opposed end thereof;

B. an elongate female punch die assembly including a female die shoe portion and having 1. a sizing station located adjacent one end of said female die shoe portion;

2. feed rollers carried by said female'die shoe portion;

3. an adjustable stamping plate carried by said fe-' male die shoe portion;

4. an adjustable notching die carried by said female die shoe portion;

5. an adjustable piercing die carried by said female die shoe portion;

6. a cutoff die carried by said female die shoe portion; 7. a forming die carried by said female die shoe portion adjacent the opposed end thereof; and C. means for moving said male punch assembly and said female die assembly into and out of engagement with each other while simultaneously advancing said strip therebetween.

2. The punch die of claim 1 wherein said forming member and said forming die are reversibly carried by said male punch assembly and said female die assembly, respectively, whereby said individual articles may vary in length.

3. The punch die of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a pair of gauge plates carried by said female die assembly in overlying relationship with said forming die and being adjustable longitudinally and transversely with respect to said female die shoe portion, whereby said individual articles may vary in height and length.

4. The punch die of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a stripping plate carried by said male die shoe portion between said cutoff member and said forming member. 

1. A progressive punch die for producing individual articles from a strip of advancing material, comprising; A. an elongate male punch die assembly including a male die shoe portion and having
 1. a sizing station located adjacent one end of said male die shoe portion and having adjustable sizing components;
 2. a slide area in said male die shoe portion having a. a stamping station with an adjustable stamping punch, b. a notching station with an adjustable notching punch, and c. a piercing station with an adjustable piercing punch;
 3. said stamping, notching, and piercing punches being movable interchangeably within said slide area;
 4. a reversible cutoff member carried by said male die shoe portion;
 5. a forming member carried by said male die shoe portion adjacent the opposed end thereof; B. an elongate female punch die assembly including a female die shoe portion and having
 1. a sizing station located adjacent one end of said female die shoe portion;
 2. feed rollers carried by said female die shoe portion;
 3. an adjustable stamping plate carried by said female die shoe portion;
 4. an adjustable notching die carried by said female die shoe portion;
 5. an adjustable piercing die carried by said female die shoe portion;
 6. a cutoff die carried by said female die shoe portion;
 7. a forming die carried by said female die shoe portion adjacent the opposed end thereof; and C. means for moving said male punch assembly and said female die assembly into and out of engagement with each other while simultaneously advancing said strip therebetween.
 2. a slide area in said male die shoe portion having a. a stamping station with an adjustable stamping punch, b. a notching station with an adjustable notching punch, and c. a piercing station with an adjustable piercing punch;
 2. feed rollers carried by said female die shoe portion;
 2. The punch die of claim 1 wherein said forming member and said forming die are reversibly carried by said male punch assembly and said female die assembly, respectively, whereby said individual articles may vary in length.
 3. The punch die of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a pair of gauge plates carried by said female die assembly in ovErlying relationship with said forming die and being adjustable longitudinally and transversely with respect to said female die shoe portion, whereby said individual articles may vary in height and length.
 3. an adjustable stamping plate carried by said female die shoe portion;
 3. said stamping, notching, and piercing punches being movable interchangeably within said slide area;
 4. a reversible cutoff member carried by said male die shoe portion;
 4. an adjustable notching die carried by said female die shoe portion;
 4. The punch die of claim 1 further characterized by the presence of a stripping plate carried by said male die shoe portion between said cutoff member and said forming member.
 5. an adjustable piercing die carried by said female die shoe portion;
 5. a forming member carried by said male die shoe portion adjacent the opposed end thereof; B. an elongate female punch die assembly including a female die shoe portion and having
 6. a cutoff die carried by said female die shoe portion;
 7. a forming die carried by said female die shoe portion adjacent the opposed end thereof; and C. means for moving said male punch assembly and said female die assembly into and out of engagement with each other while simultaneously advancing said strip therebetween. 